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By Jarrod Prugar
For the Mirror
LEWISTOWN -- Powered by Bron Mosley's four-touchdown night, the Altoona Mountain Lions took down Mifflin County, 26-8, at Mitchell Field Friday night in the District 6 Class 6A semifinals.
It was not an ideal start for coach Vince Nedimyer Jr.'s Mountain Lions as Aiden Diehl fumbled the opening kickoff.
"On the road, that's not the way you want to start the game," Nedimyer said. "Our biggest thing was with it being so early in the game to just stay with it. … (Diehl) did a phenomenal job catching punts, and he didn't lose focus."
Just three plays later, Altoona got the ball back after an MJ Harrington strip of Mifflin County's Jaylen Bowersox.
From there on, it was all Mosley and Altoona as the Mountain Lions punted only once in the first half en route to an 18-0 lead entering the half.
Mosley rushed for 95 yards in the first half and three touchdowns as he eclipsed the 20 touchdown plateau on the season for Altoona.
"Bron's got great vision, good feet, and it's paying off for him," Nedimyer said. "I'm proud of his efforts. He's going to give all the credit to those guys up front, but he's got a nose for the end zone as well, so I'm happy for him."
It was eighth time Mosley has rushed for 100-plus yards this season and the second time against Mifflin County.
While Mosley and the offense got the job done and made it look easy at times, the defense did more than its fair share, forcing three Huskies turnovers and holding them under 150 yards.
Despite a late touchdown, the outcome was never much in doubt for Altoona, which moves on to face State College in the 6A final next Friday at Hollidaysburg.
Play of the game: Harrington stripped the ball from Bowersox on the Huskies' third play from scrimmage to set the table for the Lions' first touchdown.
Player of the game: Mosley rushed for 126 yards and four touchdowns.
Unsung heroes: Harrington and Logan Wuckovich. Harrington stripped Bowersox in the first quarter while also intercepting Mifflin County's Landen Eichorn later in the first half. Wuckovich recovered a fumble by Eichorn in the second half to help seal the game.
Most vital statistic: In two games against Mifflin County this season, Mosley scored six first-half touchdowns.
Nedimyer: "This win was huge. Winning this game and getting to the district final are goals we set at the beginning of the season. We're fortunate enough to have that opportunity, and we're going to enjoy this one for now. And then, get ready for State College on Sunday and Monday and see what happens next Friday night."
Mifflin County coach Shane Breon: "We've created a culture here now, where we expect to win every week. I think in two years, we've accomplished a lot and these kids had a winning season -- 11-9 in the regular season."
Mosley: "We came in here and did exactly what we thought we could do. We created a great surge on the line. I was able to take the opportunities I had based off of what my teammates gave me. It was a great win, and our boys up front did a great job."
Notable: The Mountain Lions fumbled twice.
Records: Altoona (5-6); Mifflin County (5-6)
Next week: Altoona vs. State College in the District 6 6A final on Friday at Hollidaysburg's Tiger Stadium.
SCORE BY QUARTERS
Altoona 7 12 0 7 -- 26
Mifflin County 0 0 0 8 -- 8
First Quarter
A--Mosley 1 run (Harrington kick), 5:11
Second Quarter
A--Mosley 7 run (kick failed), 11:05
A--Mosley 4 run (run failed), :33
Fourth Quarter
A--Mosley 5 run (Chatham kick), 9:44
MC--Kearns 7 pass from Eichorn (Reed pass from Eichorn), 7:30
TEAM STATISTICS A MC
Total yards 263 149
Rushes-yards 45-220 18-59
Yards passing 43 90
Passing (comp.-att.-int.) 1-3-0 16-30-1
Fumbles-lost 2-2 2-2
Penalties-yards 5-60 11-70
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING--Altoona, Mosley 26-127, Treece 4-54, Davis 7-30, Freiwald 1-2, Emeigh-Ballos 5-2, Jones 2-5, LaRocco 2-2. Mifflin County, Eichorn 5-41, Heygh 1-0, Schaeffer 12-18.
PASSING--Altoona, Freiwald 1-3-0-43, Mifflin County, Eichhorn 16-30-1-90.
RECEIVING--Altoona, Corso 1-43. Mifflin County, Kearns 6-19, Reed 1-15, Heygh 4-32, Bowersox 3-24, Schaeffer 2-9.